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“Embrace your story and the imperfections in your life. Be clear in the knowledge that without them, you would not be who you are today.”

The Greater Than Podcast

The Greater Than Podcast shares real stories of resilience to inspire those within the adoption and foster care community. We do so through conversations with individuals who have risen up over life’s disappointments and pain. Host, international adoptee, and mom-by-adoption, Michelle Madrid-Branch shares their diverse stories of triumph over challenge and asks: What is the internal drive that urges a person to move beyond struggle? And, how can we motivate and inspire each other to stand Greater Than the obstacles that have tried to keep us down? These themes are explored within a framework of faith, respect, inclusion, and love. Our goal is to encourage, educate, and elevate the adoption conversation and to leave our listeners more empowered in their mindset to succeed.

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with Christine Bauer. Christine is the author of the memoir, Those Three Words: a birth mother’s story of choice, chance, & motherhood.

Her book represents the journey of a woman’s life and the choices that are made within a life. The pages are filled with reminders of the power of family, respect, acceptance, love—and, yes, the power of choice.

Starting the dialogue about a woman’s choice, no matter what that choice looks like, is a conversation that Christine is passionate to engage in. I’m honored for Christine to share her perspective with us—for sharing encouraging words about feeling our sadness, and leaning in to those places that hurt inside of us.

In the words of Christine’s mother, “Sadness stretches the heart so that there is more room for joy.”

We have to feel our lives if we are going to rise up and become greater in all aspects of our lives. We cannot stay numb. And, what we discover, over time, is that choice is always attached to a powerful, real, and raw story.

Leaning in to those stories is where we create greater empathy and understanding around the conversation of a woman’s choice or any other choice in front of us.

Every ninety-eight seconds in America, someone is sexually assaulted. Every 98 seconds…

Sexual violence affects millions of Americans, and can have long-term effects on its victims.

We know the #MeToo movement. But, do we really understand why it’s essential that victims be given a voice?

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, my guest is Guila Benchimol.

Guila is a PhD candidate in Sociological Criminology from the University of Guelph.

Her dissertation project examines how some victims of sexual violence go on to become anti-sexual violence advocates and activists. A topic that is important to explore within the scope of this podcast.

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with Loren Michaels Harris.

Loren Michaels Harris is a survivor of the foster care system. He draws upon his upbringing to motivate and inspire others in overcoming their obstacles to success and achieving the life they want.

Loren is a motivational speaker and message discovery coach. He assists individuals in realizing what they can do with their own personal stories and messages—how their stories can be used to help others reclaim their lives. It’s the “power of we” that Loren so eloquently shares with us.

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with Zoe Johnson. She has an incredible story to share! She’s a former foster child, orphaned as a little girl. Today, Zoe is a wife and mother, and a woman on a journey of faith to sharing the amazing story of finding her bio father through ancestry.com

Anyone who is searching, on any level, for truth in their life will want to listen to Zoe’s insights as she walks the real and raw path of reunion. Zoe’s journey to truth and to her bio dad is inspirational. Her ability to forgive and to start right where she and her bio dad are, is something we all can learn from. To learn more about Zoe, you can find her on YouTube.

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with author, Chavis Fisher. We discuss how we can uplift the children and youth in foster care and raise their voices. In addition, we share the importance of foster children understanding that they are not alone in their journey—that there are people who love and care for them.

With over eighteen years of legal practice, Chavis Fisher has worked with hundreds of foster children, adoptive parents, Court Appointed Special Advocates (better known as CASA) and Department of Child Services agency employees. She received the prestigious Congressional Angels in Adoption Award for her commitment to improve the lives of children in need of permanent homes.

Chavis Fisher is the author of the book, Adopting Tiger, which explores foster care through the eyes of a child. It’s a number one best selling book on Amazon. I couldn’t put it down!

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with Molly Rampe Thomas. Molly is a licensed social worker, and Founder and CEO of Choice Network, a pro choice adoption agency that, at its very core, is founded on Molly’s love for her daughter’s biological mother.

We discuss open adoption and inspiring a culture of honor, gratitude, and respect between bio and adoptive families. In addition, we discuss the immense need for families to consider adopting older children and sibling groups from the foster care system. To learn more about Choice Network and Molly’s work, visit: choicenetworkadoptions.com.

In this episode, I speak with Madeleine Melcher. Madeleine is an adoptee, mom-by-adoption to three children, book author, and owner of Our Journey to You, a company dedicated to designing adoption profile books and portfolios. She’s also an Angels in Adoption awardee who was honored in 2017.

With transparency and authenticity, Madeleine opens up about her journey as an adoptee and shares rich insight on what it means to parent children of adoption. In addition, she shares the why behind her work: every child deserves a family. It’s Madeleine’s why. IT’S HER FUEL!

On this episode of The Greater Than Podcast, I speak with Rachel Garlinghouse, author of the book, The Hopeful Mom’s Guide to Adoption: The Wit and Wisdom You Need for the Journey. Rachel has been part of the adoption community for a decade and is mothering four children, all of whom were adopted domestically and transracially. Rachel has shared her education and experiences on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NPR, and Huff Post Live, just to name a few.

In this episode, Rachel and I discuss transracial adoption and, my brave friend speaks openly about her journey as a diabetic and breast cancer survivor. In addition, we talk about the ways in which we can navigate the losses in our lives. There is such hope in Rachel’s message: such inspiration found in living a life of healing verses in living to be healed.